Complete Guide: 10 Best Joint Supplement for Dogs Reviewed in 2019

Has your dog been less active than usual? Are you wondering what the problem could be? There is a high probability that his/her joints may be weak or in pain. Dogs rely on their legs a lot. At some point, the legs become weak or stiff. This is where joint supplements for dogs come in.

The best joint supplement for dogs is designed to strengthen and rejuvenate joints and help them recover from mild injuries. These supplements come infused with a wide range of nutrients that are good for the joints’ bones and tissue. Some supplements also come with more nutrients that help with a dog’s overall well being.

No agency regulates joint supplements for dogs. However, we are experts in the field and know everything there is about pet supplements. We know that many sub-standard supplements do more harm than good. However, our research has yielded leads to high-quality supplements that will help with your dogs’ joints.

Here is a review of the best joint supplements for dogs. You will also get some great insights on how to spot the best joint supplements and avoid the fake ones.

Cosequin DS Plus MSM chewable joint supplement is our favorite pick because of its exceptional quality. For starters, Cosequin is a trusted brand name for pet supplements. Most importantly, however, this supplement comes packed with all the ingredients necessary for good joint health.

One of the ingredients in this supplement is MSM, which is necessary for good joint health. The other ingredients are chondroitin and glucosamine. Among other health benefits of these ingredients are the regeneration and remodeling of the cartilage, relieving pain caused by arthritis symptoms, and overall joint health.

It is also worth mentioning that this supplement is easy to administer as it is chewable and can be mixed with dog food. It is tasty too!

In addition to the basic MSM ingredient, this supplement also contains turmeric and yucca, both of which are rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It is also rich in Vitamin C and E which help with your dog’s overall health. Other ingredients include oat flour, flaxseed, coconut oil, rice bran, and vegetable oil. What’s more, it is easy to administer as it comes in the form of soft, tasty chewable pieces.

This product from Doggie Dailies is ideal for dogs with hip dysplasia. It is also exceptional in that it contains some ingredients you rarely see in other joint supplements: Co-enzyme Q10 and Hyaluronic Acid. Co-enzyme Q10 is a great anti-oxidant while hyaluronic acid helps increase the production of synovial fluid which lubricates dogs’ joints. These two ingredients make this supplement effective not only against hip dysplasia but also arthritis.

Essential ingredients available in this supplement are MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Extra ingredients include salmon oil, flaxseed, egg shell extracts, cod liver oil, and rice bran. They also contain chicken liver and cooked chicken to make them tasty.

Pros

It comes with extra ingredients for your dog’s overall health.

It is effective against both hip dysplasia and arthritis.

It is tasty and hence easy to administer.

Cons

The levels of glucosamine and chondroitin are lower compared to other supplements.

Senior dogs are prone to lots of joint health problems. This supplement from NaturVet is specially designed for senior dogs.

This supplement is designed to help with the regeneration of cartilage as well as the support of connective tissue. It contains all the basic ingredients including MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. It also contains a variety of extra ingredients that help with the dog’s overall health. What’s more, it comes in bite-sized pieces that are tasty and easy to administer.

Pros

Highly nutritious to compensate for the cartilage wastage in senior dogs.

Safe for all dogs over one year old.

It contains higher levels of important ingredients.

It is tasty and easy to administer.

Cons

It does not come with hyaluronic acid, which would be great for senior dogs.

This supplement from Infinite Pet Supplements is highly effective against arthritis symptoms. It is not entirely natural, but it contains natural turmeric extracts. Turmeric is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that is effective against arthritis and other problems caused by inflammation.

Other than turmeric extract, other ingredients in this supplement include MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. It is also rich in a variety of other ingredients that help with the dog’s immunity and general health. It also comes in two forms: chewable bite-sized pieces and tablets. In both cases, the supplement is beef-flavored to make it appealing to dogs.

Pros

Rich in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is easy to administer and comes in two forms, both of which are beef-flavored.

Comes with a free e-book on natural detox solution for dogs.

Cons

There are complaints that this particular supplement’s beef flavor is not appealing to dogs.

Zesty Paws Mobility Bites supplement comes with just the right ingredients for older dogs. These ingredients tackle all problems common in dogs in their old age including general weakness and conditions such as arthritis.

The main ingredients in this supplement include MSM, chondroitin, curcumin, hyaluronic acid, and glucosamine. It also contains three special ingredients: Qmin+, BioPerine (black pepper extract), and OptiMSM. These bites are also flavored to taste like chicken, so they are easy to administer as treats.

Pros

It helps reduce discomfort and pain from conditions such as arthritis.

It helps improve the dog’s mobility and keeps him/her more active.

It helps to cushion the dog’s joints so that underlying conditions do not get worse.

Large breed dogs are more prone to joint problems owing to their heavy weight. The problem becomes worse as they grow older. This supplement from Nutramax not only contains special ingredients but also comes with a higher concentration of common ingredients to compensate for the extra body mass.

The main ingredients in this supplement are MSM, chondroitin, and glucosamine. These ingredients are complemented with soybean, rosemary extract, and avocado extract. It doesn’t seem like much, but the idea is not to inhibit the efficacy of the main ingredients – and besides, the main ingredients come in much higher concentrations.

Pros

Come as soft chewable pieces for easy administration.

Contain all the necessary ingredients to keep joints healthy.

Help prevent common problems such as arthritis.

Ingredients come in much higher concentrations.

Cons

The supplement is not flavored, so you will need to mix it with your dog’s food for easy administration.

Cosequin DS Plus MSM is one of the fastest-acting joint supplements for dogs. It comes with a variety of ingredients that are not available in other supplements on this list. They include FCHG49 Glucosamine Hydrochloridet and TRH122 Sodium Chondroitin Sulfafet.

One of the prominent ingredients in this supplement is hyaluronic acid, which is important for joint lubrication. Other ingredients include MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. It is also enriched with aloe vera juice.

Pros

It comes in the form of tasty, chewable tablets that are easy to administer.

It contains a range of ingredients that not only help with joints but also overall health.

It contains higher levels of ingredients compared to other supplements.

Cons

Its tablet form makes it a problem especially when dealing with a stubborn dog.

This dog supplement from Vetri-Science Laboratories is produced under the best standards for the best results. It is highly nutritious and fast-acting, and your dog will love it.

Dogs love this supplement as it comes in chicken flavor, which dogs love too! It also comes with a wide range of ingredients. They include MSM, manganese, glucosamine, and selenium, all of which are necessary for joint health. Extra ingredients include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, rosemary extract, grape seed extract, and chicken liver flavor. However, it should be noted that this supplement does not contain chondroitin, which is also essential for joint health.

Pros

It contains high levels of MSM and glucosamine per each piece.

It contains extra ingredients that help with your dog’s overall health.

This joint supplement for dogs from TopDog Health boasts the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid. It also comes with higher levels of the other main ingredients compared to other supplements. It is designed to suit dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. It is one of the best joint supplement for dogs.

Each tablet comes with 25mg of hyaluronic acid, 500mg of MSM and 125mg of chondroitin. Other key ingredients include Vitamin C, glucosamine, OmniMin, AstraGin, and Cetyl Myristoleate complex. The tablets are also flavored to make them tasty. What’s more, the company claims that it utilizes the latest technology to make the three main ingredients more effective and easily absorbable.

Pros

It contains concentrated levels of all the necessary ingredients.

It contains extra ingredients that are rare in other supplements.

Utilizes the latest science technology to make the ingredients more effective.

This supplement from The Missing Link is more than a joint supplement as it comes with a wide variety of ingredients. Veterinarians also recommend it for a dog’s overall health.

In addition to the main ingredients, this supplement also contains Omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are excellent anti-oxidants and hence help with arthritis and overall health. It also contains 28% fat, 18% protein, and 15% fiber. Other ingredients include cane molasses, flaxseed, glucosamine, and rice bran. It is also flavored using the beef liver to make it tasty.

Pros

It contains all the necessary ingredients for good joint health.

It helps prevent arthritis.

It comes with extra ingredients for the dog’s overall health.

Comes in the form of chewable pieces that are tasty and can be administered as treats.

Cons

This supplement does not come with all the main ingredients necessary for joint health.

There are numerous brands of dog supplements for dogs, and they all style themselves as the best. However, you should be cautious when buying to avoid knock-offs that can do more harm than good.

What to Look for When Buying Joint Supplements for Dogs

The first thing to look for in joint supplements for dogs is the list of present ingredients. Every good joint supplement for dogs should contain MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin as these are the main ingredients necessary for good joint health. However, if your dog is suffering from conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, then you should look for supplements that contain anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ingredients.

It is also important to consider the type of supplement. Supplements mostly come in three types: chewable pieces, tablets, and liquid. Chewable supplements are recommended as they are easy to administer and mostly come with tasty flavors. Most dogs don’t like tablets, and liquid supplements are not easy to administer.

It also wouldn’t hurt if the supplement you buy comes with extra ingredients for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. Most supplements come with plant extracts and other general ingredients such as proteins, fiber, and fat, among others.

What You Should Know Before Buying

You should know that joint supplements for dogs are not regulated in the same way as human supplements. This is very concerning as it creates room for sub-standard dog supplements. This is why it is always important to be careful which supplement you buy.

The best way to avoid fakes and get the best quality supplements is to ask for recommendations from a veterinarian and dog nutrition experts.

Factors to Consider before Buying

The joint supplement you buy for your dog should be determined by the dog’s specific needs. As highlighted, some supplements are specialized to deal with specific issues.

The most important thing to take into consideration is whether your dog is suffering from any joint problems. Common joint problems in dogs include stiffness, arthritis, hip dysplasia, and mild pain. There are supplements designed to help with each condition.

The second thing to take into consideration is your dog’s age. Some supplements are ineffective for senior dogs while others are too powerful for young dogs. Some supplements are ideal for dogs of all ages.

Finally, you should consider your dog’s size. Large breed dogs require strong ingredients to compensate for the extra body mass. They need supplements with concentrated ingredients.

Check out the video below to learn more about joint supplements for dogs.

FAQs

Can You Give Human Supplements to Dogs?

No, it is not safe to give human supplements to dogs. This is because some of the ingredients available in human supplements are toxic to dogs. The only safe ingredient for dogs available in human supplements is glucosamine – this ingredient is present in most joint supplements for dogs.

However, some human supplement glucosamine contains sweeteners that are also toxic to dogs. As such, it is prudent to avoid giving human supplements to dogs.

The main ingredients required are MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Supplements can also be specialized for dogs based on factors such as breed, size, and age.

Some supplements are also formulated to deal with specific joint conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Joint supplements for dogs also come with a variety of other ingredients that help with the dog’s overall health.

It is important to realize that joint supplements for dogs are not regulated. To this end, some supplements are ineffective. As such, you should be careful when buying supplements for your dog – go for supplements that are recommended by veterinarians.

Which is Better: Dasuquin or Cosequin?

Dasuquin is better than Cosequin in terms of efficacy and health benefits. Both ingredients are made by Nutramax Labs, one of the leading dog supplement brands. Both of these ingredients are designed to help relieve arthritis symptoms and mild pain in joints. Additionally, they both come in chewable tablets.

The main difference between Dasuquin and Cosequin is that the former contains ASU. This extra ingredient is designed to help prevent cartilage erosion. Erosion of the cartilage is what causes joint pain in dogs and can lead to immobility and even disability.

It is also the leading symptom of arthritis. Dasuquin is administered in young dogs to help prevent the early onset of arthritis. It is also recommended for large dog breeds that are more prone to cartilage erosion.

What can I Give My Dog for Joint Stiffness?

The recommended remedies for joint stiffness in dogs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is a group of drugs that share certain properties and ingredients. Some of the most common and effective NSAIDs are carprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib, and firocoxib.

NSAIDs contain a variety of ingredients that help alleviate conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. They are generally safe, but some can have mild and adverse side effects. Some of the side effects to be wary of include digestive problems, live complications, and kidney conditions.

To this end, it is important to buy your dog’s NSAIDs from trusted dog supplement dealers. You should also consider consulting a veterinarian before administering any of these drugs to your dog. Some joint supplements for dogs also help with joint stiffness and other underlying conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, so keep an open mind.

Conclusion

Dogs are not made of steel. At some point, their joints will develop complications such as stiffness, pain, arthritis, and hip dysplasia, among others. When this happens you will notice that your dog is not as active as he/she was. This is depressing, both for you and your fluffy best friend. Fortunately, there are ready remedies.

Dog supplements for dogs are designed to uphold the health of their joints. Some are even specialized to help treat conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Others also come with overall health benefits. Your dog would do with some, and dogs love them! However, be careful when buying joint supplements for dogs to avoid sub-standard products. I recommend you go with one of the best joint supplement for dogs in this review. If, however, you want to broaden your horizons, then be sure to follow our comprehensive buying guide.